Mary Kenner Invented Personal Care Aids the World Needed
Mary Kenner Invented Personal Care Aids the World Needed
Mary Kenner grew up watching her family invent and spent decades designing a more comfortable sanitary belt. When a company rejected her because she was Black, she kept working and earned five patents in her lifetime.
Mary Kenner grew up in a family that loved inventing.
Mary Kenner grew up in a family that loved inventing.
Her father and grandfather were both inventors.
Her father and grandfather were both inventors.
From a young age, Mary watched them solve problems with simple tools and clever thinking.
From a young age, Mary watched them solve problems with simple tools and clever thinking.
Mary spent years thinking about a better sanitary belt.
Mary spent years thinking about a better sanitary belt.
In the 1950s, women used cloth belts and pads during their menstrual cycle.
In the 1950s, women used cloth belts and pads during their menstrual cycle.
But the pads often shifted or leaked.
But the pads often shifted or leaked.
Mary wanted to design a belt with a moisture-proof napkin holder that kept everything securely in place.
Mary wanted to design a belt with a moisture-proof napkin holder that kept everything securely in place.
She worked on the design at her kitchen table.
She worked on the design at her kitchen table.
She sketched, tested, and improved the idea.
She sketched, tested, and improved the idea.
Her design had a small pocket that held the pad firmly in position.
Her design had a small pocket that held the pad firmly in position.
It was much more comfortable and reliable.
It was much more comfortable and reliable.
A company contacted Mary.
A company contacted Mary.
They were very interested in her invention.
They were very interested in her invention.
But when they found out that Mary was a Black woman, they withdrew their interest.
But when they found out that Mary was a Black woman, they withdrew their interest.
They did not want to work with her.
They did not want to work with her.
Mary was hurt.
Mary was hurt.
But she did not stop inventing.
But she did not stop inventing.
She kept working.
She kept working.
She eventually received a patent for her sanitary belt design in 1956.
She eventually received a patent for her sanitary belt design in 1956.
It was one of five patents she held during her lifetime.
It was one of five patents she held during her lifetime.
Her other inventions included aids to help elderly and disabled people in the bathroom.
Her other inventions included aids to help elderly and disabled people in the bathroom.
Mary Kenner invented products that improved the daily lives of millions of people.
Mary Kenner invented products that improved the daily lives of millions of people.
She did it with skill and persistence, even when others tried to stop her.
She did it with skill and persistence, even when others tried to stop her.
She once said that she invented because she loved solving problems.
She once said that she invented because she loved solving problems.
That love never left her.
That love never left her.